Hodgson Insurance Services - Taking The Risk Out Of Insurance!

Welcome to our blog. As brokers we specialise in a range of insurance products using a panel of the top insurance companies in the UK. Here we bring you the latest news, stories and views in the insurance industry along with the latest from our company.

Wednesday, May 25, 2016

Thank you to everyone that visited our stall at last weeks Bude Classic & Car Show, hope you all had a great day. We had 55 entries in our FREE prize draw for the Autoglym hamper. Congratulations to Nigel Kivell of Bude who got drawn out & is pictured here collecting his prize.

It now meant he'd have to go home & clean his car now though!! Congrats Nigel, enjoy!

Friday, November 27, 2015

Our BLACK FRIDAY deals. Competitive prices and comprehensive insurance products, the SAME as every other day of the year!!!! Get a quote today just call our office on 01288 353999 or visit our website for info! www.hodgsoninsurance.co.uk

Thursday, July 09, 2015

The 2015 Budget has seen the 'Insurance Premium Tax' (IPT) sneakily increased from 6% to 9.5% with effect from 1st November. BIBA have described it as a 'stealth tax' as millions of consumers (car, home insurance etc) and business owners (shops, guest houses, tradesman etc) will have their insurance premiums automatically increased by 3.5% and putting an estimated £1.75billion extra money in the treasurers coffers.
Apparently it's still a long way behind other EU countries but still a big increase in one go and the Conservatives look to have gone under the radar with this Budget tax increase!!!

Thursday, June 11, 2015

Motor Insurance is being simplified from 30th June! From this date it will no longer be a legal requirement to return your insurance certificate back to your broker or insurance company in the event of a mid term change or cancellation of policy.
It's just one of the governments 'Red Tape Challenge' schemes which intends to help simplify the regulatory process and we see this as great news for the customer in helping make insurance that tiny bit simpler!!

Wednesday, June 10, 2015

Congrats to our insurer partner 'Ageas Insurance' on scooping the 'Best Insurance Claims Department Of The Year' award at The Post Claims Awards on 4th June!!
Good to see one of our favourite insurers acknowledged for their hard work & great service!!

It's 'National Ride To Work Week' on 15th-21st June. Encouraging motorcycle & scooter owners to use their bikes to commute to work.
Weather from Monday is encouraging so get those bikes out people!!
If you have a bike and you'd like more info visit the dedicated site at: http://ridetoworkweek.co.uk/

The paper driving licence from 8th June is no longer valid and will no longer be issued by DVLA, and drivers from now on will only be issued with a photocard licence. If your licence was issued before 1998 however and you've never been issued with a photocard licence you can continue to use your paper licence until it needs updating.
All future penalty points and endorsements will be added to the DVLA online drivers record which can be viewed online, checked by phone or by post. They can also be 'shared' with third party operators who request them including Car Hire firms and insurance providers.
You can from now view your licence information online by visiting here: https://www.gov.uk/view-driving-licence, it will include what vehicles you can drive and any penalty points you have.
For more full information visit the DVLA website where they'll be able to fully explain the changes:
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/driving-licence-changes

Thursday, April 02, 2015

Have a great Easter everyone, be aware of bunnies driving cars this weekend. We are closed Friday and Monday, but we are open for you lovely people Saturday morning 9-12. Try not to eat too much chocolate!!!

Tuesday, March 03, 2015

Are you buying or have you bought a new car this month?
Looking for or been offered GAP Insurance?
Garages will offer this cover for around £400 for a 3 year policy.
We have a special throughout March, and can offer GAP cover for just £249 which covers your new car up to 5 years.
If you car is written off your insurers will pay out on a market value, and if you have a GAP policy you will be paid out the difference the insurers offer you and what you originally paid for the car.
We can offer 2,3,4 or 5 years insurance policy's and prices range from £159 - £279 based on vehicles up to a value of £25,000. Around HALF the price garages will offer this product to you for.
Don't let the garages rip you off!! For more info on the GAP policy please call our office on 01288 353999 or drop in to our Bude office!!

Monday, March 02, 2015

From today new law changes have been made allowing police to use a new 'drugalyser' on drivers suspected of driving under the influence of drugs.
Similar to a 'breathalyser' if police suspect drivers of motor vehicles are under the influence of illegal drugs including cannabis and cocaine, the new bit of kit can be used to reveal the blood levels of these drugs in 3-8 minutes and allow police to make immediate arrests instead of having to take them in and await blood results.

Tuesday, January 20, 2015

DVLA will be getting rid of the paper driving licence as from 8th June, (it was going to be Jan 15, but been delayed).
What this means for drivers after this date is that all endorsements/penalty points will no longer be recorded on the paper licenses. The information will be held on DVLA's driver record. and will be able to viewed and checked online, by phone or by post.
You will be able to destroy the paper licence & just keep the photocard. Those with licenses issued before 1998 should keep them until you need to make a change and which time DVLA will only issue you with the photocard.
DVLA are getting rid of the paper licenses after a 'Red Tape Challenge' consultation to help simplify services.
From an insurance point of view verification of clients driving history is extremely important, drivers 'forgetting' to tell their insurer about that speeding conviction should become a thing of the past with instant electronic checking solutions in development including 'MyLicence', 'Share My Driving Record' and DVLA's own 'Access to Driver Data'. Getting exact and correct information should help bring insurance prices down for those with a clean licence.
For more info on the subject go to the DVLA's website here:
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/driving-licence-changes

Tuesday, December 23, 2014

At Hodgson Insurance we have had another successful year and it's down to the superb support from our customers, thank you very much, it's much appreciated and we will be continuing to work hard for you in 2015!!!!
We would like to wish a Merry Christmas to all our customers, hope you and your family's have a wonderful break. If you do need us over the Xmas period we are open.
Our Christmas opening hours are:
Today Tue 23rd Dec - 9-5 Normal.
Wed 24th Dec - 9-12.
Thu 25th Dec - Xmas Day - Closed
Fri 26th Dec - Boxing Day - Closed
Sat 27th Dec - 9-12.
Sun 28th Dec - Closed
Mon 29th Dec - 9-12.
Tue 30th Dec - 9-12.
Wed 31st Dec - 9-12.
Thu 1st Jan - New Years Day - Closed
Fri 2nd Jan - 9-5 - Back to normality.
Sat 3rd Jan - 9-12.
Merry Christmas everyone !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Wednesday, November 19, 2014

Recent research by ABTA reveals that 35% of 16-24 year olds and 36% of 25-34 years olds travel abroad without insurance meaning that, for many parents, having to settle huge medical bills is a very real possibility.
The study indicates that younger travellers are less likely to insure their holiday because they wrongly believe that EHIC will cover all medical expenses, cost also appears to be a deterrent with nearly a third citing travel insurance as being too expensive.
The average cost of a medical expenses claim in 2013 was £930, with a broken leg in USA costing tens of thousands of pounds.
The average cost of travel insurance is just £32 so it seems that high cost is a misguided belief.
For more information about travel insurance, give our office a call on 01288 353999 or drop in to our Bude office!!!

Saturday, November 15, 2014

Taxis. Do you only use your taxi only during the day? Yes.
We have a new insurance provider who now give extra discounts for driving between the hours of 4am - 10pm only.
On top of great rates they also give up to 25% discount on passing a DSA taxi test.
Give us a call for more info!!

Thursday, October 30, 2014

Two No Win No Fee claims management company employees have been arrested on suspicion of impersonating insurance policyholders to fraudulently obtain information from an insurer about road traffic collisions.
The action was taken after detectives from the City of London Police’s Insurance Fraud Enforcement Department (IFED) travelled to the company’s Bury call centre.
The company’s call centre employees contact members of the public who have been in a road traffic collision to ask them if they want to make an insurance claim including for whiplash.
IFED detectives began their investigation following a referral from the targeted insurer.
A 51-year-old man from Bury and a 23-year-old man from Stockport were arrested on suspicion of fraud by false representation.
DC Alex Cooley, who led the operation, said: “The action should serve as a warning to anyone thinking of fraudulently obtaining information for commercial, professional or personal gain.
“Impersonating another person to extract information that you are not entitled to is a criminal offence and you should expect IFED detectives to come for you.”
Detectives are also investigating how the employees knew about the collisions.

Friday, October 24, 2014

Many of us have collections, stamps, artwork, wine, antiques Panini football stickers maybe, but does your home insurance give you adequate cover.
Most policy's have limits for collections or valuables and some exclude cover for perishables and fragile goods, such as wine.
If you have a collection we recommend you obtain a written valuation no more than 2 years old, you'll often be surprised how much it's worth. Then check your insurance policy or speak to your insurance broker to confirm you have adequate cover in place!!

Wednesday, September 03, 2014

Smoke Alarms.
Did you know all properties built after June 1992 in the UK must have a mains powered smoke detector fitted?
There is no such legislation for older properties although for tenanted properties it is generally considered that the common law 'duty of care' means that landlords and their agents could be liable should a fire cause injury or damage where smoke alarms are not fitted.
We therefore strongly recommend that you make sure at least 1 alarm is fitted on each floor, usually the hall way and landing!!
Gas.
All gas appliances and flues in rented accommodation must be checked for safety every 12 months by a competent engineer.
Electrical.
There are several regulation relating to electrical installations, equipment and appliance safety. Although with tenanted property there is currently no legal requirement, the only safe way to ensure safety and to avoid being accused of neglect it to arrange an inspection and certificate.

Tuesday, August 26, 2014

From 1st Oct 2014, the paper tax disc will no longer need to be displayed in your vehicles windscreen and will no longer be issued after this date.
Your vehicle will still need to be taxed to drive or keep it on the road and the DVLA will still send reminders when vehicle taxes are due to expire, this applies to all vehicle including those that are tax exempt.
This is also going to affect the buying and selling of a vehicle after this date. The tax will no longer be transferred with the vehicle. The new owner will need to purchase new tax before the vehicle can be used. The seller will automatically get a refund for any full calendar months left on the vehicle tax after the DVLA is notified of the sale.
Tax can still be bought in the usual ways, online, by phone or your local post office branch and there will now be an option to pay the tax monthly.
After 93 years, it's bye bye tax disc!!!!!
If you'd like to know more about the upcoming changes then just visit the link below:
www.gov.uk/government/news/vehicle-tax-changes

Thursday, August 14, 2014

Good luck to everyone collecting their 'A' level results today. Hope all your hard work's paid off!!
Can remember that dreaded walk to school to collect that bit of paper that can shape your future. It's probably all changed now, I assume students just get their results Facebooked to them nowadays!!

Friday, August 08, 2014

Visit our stand at this weekends 'Castle Hill Car Festival' in Devon for a chance to win FREE Full UK Motor Breakdown cover for a year worth £54.86.Just complete your contact details and you'll be entered in to the draw.Loads of cars, speed track racing, helicopter rides, stunt plane displays and more.For more information on the biggest car festival in Devon just visit the website at www.castlehillcarfestival.co.ukSee you all there!!!!

Wednesday, May 21, 2014

Congratulations to Bude FC for winning the local Kingsley Football League that we sponsor and well done to Kilkhampton FC on finishing runners up in a close finish to the season.It's a pleasure for our company to continue this relationship with the league and to help make it possible for so many to enjoy playing football at the weekends. Here's to next season!!

Friday, May 02, 2014

Looking back at the price paid from the winter weather insurers saw 17,500 flood claims with over £446 million paid out!!
There was 421,500 storm damage claims costing £606 million.
Over £1 billion paid out due to the dreadful weather this past winter.

Friday, March 28, 2014

We now have a larger panel of insurers for taxi insurance cover after 3 additional companies were added to our panel this week. More choice for our customers!! Give us a call for a FREE quote on 01288 353999.
Full UK Taxi breakdown cover also available for just £77.12 a year.

It's estimated by the ABI that the damage caused by flooding & storms for just 2 months from 23rd Dec 2013 to 23rd Feb 2013 will cost insurers £1.1 billion, with just under half of this amount coming just from the major floods we had. The Somerset flooding is only now just residing!

Wednesday, January 22, 2014

The FCA have warned about a scam insurance broker website which has popped up online called 'Zelomit Insurance'. It looks convincing, the site has been cloned from a legitimate company and they look to trick consumers in to using them and believing they are a FCA registered broker - they aren't a real company!!
If you use an online company, be sure they are who they say they are, for more information about the cloned site and cloning go to the FCA site here: http://www.fca.org.uk/news/warnings/zelomit-insurance-clone

Tuesday, December 24, 2013

Although Santa will have no problem with this weather, you may still be affected. If you need to make a claim over the next week and you cant get hold of us, please just look in your policy booklet or visit our website for claim numbers and info!!
http://www.hodgsoninsurance.co.uk/claim-information.htm

Friday, December 13, 2013

From Summer 2014 motor insurers will be able to verify information directly from the DVLA using your driving licence number. We can collect your DLN now in readiness for next year, when we will be able to automatically check the type of licence, how long it's been held and whether they have any motoring convictions.
This should remove the opportunity for customers to make mistakes or conviently omit important information. Currently nearly 1 in 5 policyholders under-declare the convictions they have received.
This new initiative should help the honest customer save an average £15 from the cost of their motor insurance!!!!

About Me

We are insurance brokers who specialise in a range of insurance products from a panel of the top insurance companies in the UK. We offer car insurance, van insurance, house insurance, shop and commercial insurance, guest house, bed and breakfast, travel insurance, public liability cover and much more